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The MG Midget was announced in June 1961, reviving a name that had been used on earlier small, two-seat, lightweight sports cars manufactured by MG. It was essentially the same as the MkII Austin-Healey Sprite - which replaced the original 'frogeye' Sprite - and had been introduced just a month or so earlier in the same year. Mechanically, the Midget was identical to the Sprite, but had an improved interior, instruments and some additional exterior trim – in addition to the marque-specific grille and badging – which made it the mildly ‘up-market’ version.
The model went through a number of revisions during its long production run – each providing improvements to the engine, suspension, fittings and fixtures. The Mark III – as offered here – appeared in 1966 and featured an enlarged 1275 cc engine (the original had been just 948 cc) which provided a claimed 65 bhp. Usefully, it also gained a much improved convertible top, now permanently fixed to the body rather than the earlier removable item, which needed to be stowed in the boot. The Mark III continued in production until 1974, gaining a mild facelift along the way, together with mechanical improvements. All told, around 100,000 of the Mark III version were manufactured.
This early Mark III was first registered new in the UK in February 1967. It went through a number of hands, appearing to remain in regular use, receiving some major mechanical works in the 1990’s, followed up by extended renovation work in 2018. This included a full respray; full interior re-trim with new carpets fitted and mechanical work comprising a brake system rebuild and suspension overhaul. There is quite an extensive paper record from the 1980’s, MOT certificates to 2015 and invoices for the work completed in 2018.
The Midget was purchased by a Guernsey resident in 2020 and registered in the island at that time. It has been kept garaged and seen limited subsequent use.
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